USDA FSIS Issues Guidance Updates for Control of Salmonella and Campylobacter in Poultry Processing Operations

USDA FSI issued two guidance documents to assist establishments that slaughter or process raw 

poultry products to prevent and minimize the risk of Salmonella and Campylobacter in their operations.   These documents are a reissuance of earlier guidance (2015 Draft Compliance Guideline for Controlling Salmonella and Campylobacter in Raw Poultry (4th Edition) for the control of these two pathogens.

FSIS Guideline for Controlling Salmonella in Raw Poultry
This guideline helps poultry establishments, including those that are small and very small, to identify and implement pre- and post-harvest interventions to control Salmonella as part of their HACCP system. Additionally, the guideline helps poultry establishments utilize microbial testing results to monitor the performance of the HACCP system and inform decision-making. This guideline relates to 9 CFR 381, 416, and 417.
https://www.fsis.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media_file/2021-07/FSIS-GD-2021-0005.pdf

FSIS Guideline for Controlling Campylobacter in Raw Poultry
This guideline helps poultry establishments, including those that are small and very small, identify and implement pre- and post-harvest interventions to control Campylobacter as part of their HACCP system. Additionally, it helps poultry establishments utilizes microbial testing results to monitor the performance of the HACCP system and inform decision making. This guideline relates to 9 CFR 381, 416, and 417.
https://www.fsis.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media_file/2021-07/FSIS-GD-2021-0006.pdf

Kimchi Products Recalled After FDA Sampling Finds Listeria Positive Samples in Facility

5000 YEARS FOODS, INC. of Chicago, IL is recalling because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.  The recalled product was sold in 5GAL plastic tubs, and 128 oz, 64 oz, 32 oz, & 16 oz glass jars under the 5000 Years Foods brand name with code information “09052021” through “09252021” printed on the top of the lid.  While no illnesses have been reported, the recall was the result of sampling by the FDA that found Listeria monocytogenes in the production facility. 

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/5000-years-foods-inc-recall-cabbage-kimchi-because-possible-health-risk
5000 Years Foods, Inc. Recall Cabbage Kimchi Because of Possible of Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  July 13, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  July 14, 2021
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination
Company Name:  5000 Years Foods, Inc.
Brand Name:  5000 Years Foods, Inc.
Product Description:  Kimchi Products

Chicken Salad Sandwiches Recalled After Using Recalled Chicken

LSG Sky Chefs announced today that it is issuing a voluntary recall of its Chicken Salad Sandwich because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes,  The chicken used in this product is subject to a national recall issued by Tyson Foods Inc., Dexter, MO. To date, LSG Sky Chefs has received no reports of illnesses associated with this product.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/lsg-sky-chefs-recalls-circle-k-brand-chicken-salad-sandwich-because-possible-health-risk
LSG Sky Chefs Recalls Circle K Brand Chicken Salad Sandwich Because of Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  July 07, 2021
FDA Publish Date: July 08, 2021
Product Type: Food & Beverages  Prepared Food
Reason for Announcement:  Potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination
Company Name:  LSG Sky Chefs
Brand Name:  Circle K
Product Description:  Chicken Salad Sandwich

Frozen Cooked Chicken Products Recalled After Linked to Listeria Cases

Tyson Foods Inc., a Dexter, Mo. establishment, is recalling approximately 8,955,296 pounds of ready-to-eat (RTE) chicken products (e.g., oven roasted chicken breast, grilled chicken breast strips, etc) that may be adulterated with Listeria monocytogenes.  These frozen, fully cooked chicken products were produced between December 26, 2020 and April 13, 2021.

"On June 9, 2021, FSIS was notified of two persons ill with listeriosis. Working in conjunction with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state public health partners, FSIS determined there is evidence linking the Listeria monocytogenes illnesses to precooked chicken produced at Tyson Foods Inc. The epidemiologic investigation identified three listeriosis illnesses, including one death, between April 6, 2021 and June 5, 2021. During routine sample collection, FSIS collected two precooked chicken samples from two establishments that are closely related genetically to Listeria monocytogenes from ill people. One of the samples was collected at Tyson Foods Inc. FSIS is continuing to work with federal and state public health partners to determine if there are additional illnesses linked to these products."

FSIS Announcement
Tyson Foods Inc. Recalls Ready-To-Eat Chicken Products Due to Possible Listeria Contamination | Food Safety and Inspection Service (usda.gov)
Tyson Foods Inc. Recalls Ready-To-Eat Chicken Products Due to Possible Listeria Contamination

July 13, 2021, Editor’s Note: The release is being updated to alert consumers that the recalled ready to eat products were used in additional products produced by other establishments and retailers. Some products bear a different establishment number on the label due to further processing and some products may have been served from the deli counter in retail stores. Labels for the products made with the recalled chicken are available here. We encourage consumers to check the FSIS website frequently while we continue to update the press release and/or the labels if we become aware of additional products that used the recalled chicken.

Are Ghost Kitchens Here to Stay? Food Safety Concerns?

Ghost Kitchens - Food establishments that provide food for delivery-only service.  With the advent of delivery apps and fostered by the COVID pandemic, ghost kitchens have established a foothold in the foodservice sector.

There are many advantages for these kitchens:

• They can work out of any space, often choosing cheaper space (cost per sq ft) such as in industrial parks.
• There is no need for a seating area or for service staff (although some may employ their own delivery service).
• Multiple brands can operate out of the same space.  Some enterprising owners can establish a high end menu for one brand and another for typical fast food such as chicken wings and cheese steaks.  The customer ordering on an app will never know.

So are there any food safety concerns?  We've not heard of any issues to this point.  Like restaurants, these kitchens must be inspected, so that helps to ensure that the facilities have the necessary requirements.   

For the customer, there is no opportunity to see the establishment like there is with a dine-in restaurant, so customer don't have that chance to judge with your eyes. (How many restaurants have you skipped over because of the way they looked?)  There is also not as much a history associated with the establishment, which is another factor used to judge.

We are just in the beginning of this new evolutionary development.  We have yet to see the degree to which consumers will continue to want their readied meals delivered.   It is easy to suspect that some percent will continue.   And if so, to what degree will ghost kitchens be able to complete against established restaurants with dine-in services.  

 Over time, bad operators will shake out, whether that be from inefficiency or from poor quality.  Operators who remain will continue to define their  brands, refine their menus, and configure their delivery systems.  Hopefully along the way, operators will have a focus on food safety, sparring the public from foodborne illness.

To establish a recognized brand, ghost kitchens will be wise to establish a social media presence with pictures of the operation highlighting the cleanliness and sophistication of well run kitchen.  Presentation is also important with sharp packaging with well wrapped product delivered at appropriate temperatures.  Quality and safety of product of course are paramount, so there can never be cutting of corners, such as cutting corners to meet periods of high demand, or creatively recycling 'old' product during periods of low demand.


https://www.morningagclips.com/whats-a-ghost-kitchen-a-food-industry-expert-explains/
What's a ghost kitchen? A food industry expert explains
Ghost kitchens are physical spaces for operators to create food for off-premises consumption

Unknown Wild Bird Disease Spreading in Eastern US, Time to Take Down the Bird Feeders

An unknown disease is spreading among wild birds in the mid-Atlantic and midwestern states.  "Characterized by conjunctivitis, as well as neurological signs such as erratic flight, the unidentified disease first became prevalent in Ohio and Washington, D.C."  In hard hit areas,  scores of dead birds have been found.

Experts are asking people to remove bird feeds and bird baths, congregation sites for birds, until more is known about this disease.  Areas where birds accumulate together allows the disease to spread more rapidly.  For anyone who feeds birds, it would be awful to find a yard full of dead birds.

Pennsylvania Game Commission
https://www.media.pa.gov/Pages/game-commission-details.aspx
MYSTERIOUS SONGBIRD DEATHS INVESTIGATED
07/01/2021

HARRISBURG, PA - Wildlife health experts from the Wildlife Futures Program (WFP) at the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Veterinary Medicine (Penn Vet) and officials from the Pennsylvania Game Commission are investigating more than 70 general public reports of songbirds that are sick or dying due to an emerging health condition that is presently unknown.

NY City Establishment Stopped from Selling Uninspected Pork Products

The Federal authorities stopped a NY establishment from distributing pork products made from uninspected meat.  As we know, meat going into distribution to retail and foodservice establishments must be made from USDA inspected meat.

Hopefully, USDA can hogtie this operation.  You think people buying this product could have porcine what was going on, but that is not always easy to determine.   This establishment was probably making some pretty good dough selling these dumplings, not just chitlins.   Hopefully proper justice is rendered.

Meatingplace

Meatingplace.com : Feds order NYC business to stop sales of uninspected pork
Feds order NYC business to stop sales of uninspected pork

A business in New York City's Chinatown acknowledges selling hundreds of pounds of uninspected pork to retailers in the state and elsewhere, according to a consent decree announced by federal prosecutors.

Snacks for Backyard Ducks Recalled Due to Potential Salmonella

Manna Pro Products, LLC, St. Louis, Missouri, is  recalling a single lot of Flock Party Quack Snacks (poultry treat) with a Best By date of 12/2023, packaged in 1.68 pound bags because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. Manna Pro Products LLC was informed by the State of West Virginia of a positive Salmonella spp. result in a routine surveillance sample of Flock Party Quack Snacks.


Daffy Duck during happier times.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/manna-pro-products-llc-issues-limited-voluntary-recall-flock-party-quack-snacks-sold-united-states
Manna Pro Products LLC Issues Limited Voluntary Recall of Flock Party Quack Snacks Sold in the United States Because of Possible Health Risk Due to Potential Salmonella Contamination
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  June 28, 2021
FDA Publish Date:  June 29, 2021
Product Type:  Animal & Veterinary
Food & Beverages  Pet Food
Reason for Announcement:  Potential to be contaminated with Salmonella
Company Name:  Manna Pro Products, LLC
Brand Name:  Flock Party
 Product Description:  Duck treats

Foodservice Chain Fights Against Bogus Claims After DNA Testing Unable to Identify Tuna

A lawsuit was filed against Subway for not using tuna in its Tuna sandwiches.  This claim is based upon DNA testing of the sandwich meat to determine if it was tuna, and this testing was not able to detect tuna DNA.  The news media piles on Subway with the damaging claim.

Guess what?  It's canned tuna, where the tuna undergoes a pressure canning process that utilizes high temperatures for long periods of time....a process that would make it difficult if not impossible to recover identifiable DNA.  

In the NY Post article below "In an amended complaint from June, the plaintiffs toned down their allegations, saying that Subway claims to sell sustainably caught skipjack and yellowfin tuna, but was in fact selling “anything less than healthy stocks.”  So, okay it is tuna, but it is not good tuna?  So now we are moving to the 'pink slime' mode?

https://nypost.com/2021/06/23/lab-tests-reportedly-find-no-identifiable-tuna-dna-in-subway-sandwich/
Lab tests reportedly find no identifiable tuna DNA in Subway sandwich — again
By Will FeuerJune 23, 2021 | 10:05am | Updated
Something is fishy about Subway’s “tuna” sandwich.

Commercial lab tests again found no identifiable tuna DNA in the sandwich that purports to contain the fish.

The New York Times bought Subway tuna sandwiches from three different locations in Los Angeles, and then sent frozen samples to an unidentified commercial food testing lab after two California women filed a class-action lawsuit against the company in January alleging that Subway’s tuna sandwiches aren’t actually made of the fish.